The City of Toronto Economic Development Division and the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) are pleased to present this revised Toronto BIA Operating Handbook. We anticipate that the information presented within these pages valuable and relevant to your current operations.

Click on the purple arrow to expand the contents for each section.

	Introduction
	BIA Overview	A
	Definitions: Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) City of Toronto BIA Office Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA)
	Board of Management Overview	B
	Main Functions and Responsibilities BIA Membership BIA General Membership Information Requests
	Creating Your BIA Procedural By-Law	C
	Introduction and Background Rules of Procedure Preamble General Board of Management Officers Board Meetings Membership Meetings Committees of the Board Conflict of Interest Code of Conduct Confidentiality and Privacy of Information Standard of Care
	BIA Insurance Coverage	D
	Commercial General Liability Coverage Directors & Officers Liability Property Group (Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas Employee Benefit Package)
	Creating a Business Plan and Budget	E
	Sample: BIA Business Plan Table of Contents Sample: Annual General Meeting (AGM) Notice (including simplified budget) Sample: Detailed BIA Budget Forms Sample: Budget Approval Schedule Samples: Financial Statements BIA Audit Requirements GST/HST Rebates
	Running Effective Meetings	F
	Annual General Meeting (AGM) Requirements Sample: AGM Notice Sample: Board Meeting Agenda Robert's Rules of Order - Light Version Minute Taking Guidelines Sample: Meeting Minutes and Format
	Funding Sources	G
	City of Toronto BIA Support Program Other Funding Sources
	Streetscaping and Capital Projects	H
	BIA Capital Cost-Sharing Program Guidelines Financial Processing Procedure
	Interacting with Government and the Community	I
	Community Links Locating Property Owner Members Key City BIA Contacts City Councillors Police Divisions
	Hiring Office Staff & Retaining Consultants	J
	Hiring Office Staff Samples: Classified Ads Sample: Job Description Interview Questions Retaining Consulting Services: Request for Proposal - Critical Components Samples: Requests for Proposals Sample: Consultant Contract Employee or Business Relationship Employment Legislation GST/HST Rebates
	Recruiting and Motivating Volunteers	K
	Volunteer Checklist Guide for Developing Volunteer Job Descriptions Recruiting and Motivating Volunteers Interview Tips
	Writing Funding Proposals	L
	Funding Proposal Writing Strategy Fundraising Applications Sample Budget Sheet "To Do" Checklist Application Self-Evaluation Form
	Event Planning, Promotions and Communications	M
	Special Events Checklist Key City and Agencies Checklist Promotional Ideas Cross Promotions Sponsorships Student Help Advertising Newsletters Guidelines for a BIA website
	TABIA Discount & Affinity Programs	N
	What is TABIA Advocacy Discounts for Toronto BIA Board Members Discounts for Toronto BIA Members Education and Information Resources Promotional Opportunities Networking Opportunities
	Other City Services & Key Contacts	O
	Additional Services Offered by Economic Development Key Contacts
	Relevant City of Toronto Municipal Code By-laws, Guidelines and Processes	P
	Relevant City of Toronto Municipal Code By-laws, Guidelines and Processes City-wide Graffiti Team
	Other Important City Policies	Q
	Code of Conduct for Members of Council Municipal Conflict of Interest Act Policies and Sample Acknowledgement form Policy on Political Activities Requests for Proposals and Tender/Quotation Calls Lobbying Disclosure Policy Office of the Lobbyist Registrar Anti-Racism, Access and Equity Policy Guidelines Declaration of Non-Discrimination Freedom of Information
	Appendix
	Acknowledgements